NBA POWER RANKINGS -2/15/10

NBA Power Rankings

After the All-star break, it’s time to take a look at gnb’s first edition of NBA power rankings.

1.) Cleveland Cavaliers                                                                                     LW: --

If the Cavs don’t deserve this spot, no one does. They’re riding a 13 game winning streak. Both their defense and offense are amazing. Oh, and they might be getting Amare Stoudemire.

2.) Los Angeles Lakers                                                                                     LW: --

After these two, the highest amount of wins by a team is 36. They beat the Spurs at home and the Jazz (on the road), who were riding an 8-game winning streak, going into the break.

3.) Denver Nuggets                                                                                                      LW: --

I was contemplating putting the Jazz here, but the Nuggets deserve it. They’ve won games without Carmelo, their star player, to keep the #2 seed in the West for now.  

4.) Utah Jazz                                                                                                                LW: --

Utah is hot right now, but they lost their game to the Lakers going into the break. But their winning streak was very impressive with the teams they played.

5.) Orlando Magic                                                                                                        LW: --

The Magic are too up-and-down. This is what their schedule looks like: 3 wins, 2 losses, 2 wins, loss, win, 2 losses, etc. They need to get more consistent if they want to make the Finals again.

6.) Oklahoma City Thunder                                                                                          LW: --

If I had told you I would place the Thunder here during last season, you might’ve laughed at me. Well, look out. Durant is going to be a great player in this league and Russell Westbrook looks like a pretty good complement to him.

7.) Atlanta Hawks                                                                                                        LW: --

I said they’d be getting the third or second seed at the beginning of the season. I’m not sure why Joe Johnson would want to leave for the Knicks, because this team has a very bright future ahead.

8.) Toronto Raptors                                                                                                      LW: --

Yes, I have the Raptors here. They are quietly a pretty hot team, 8-1 in their last 9 games. I can see them taking the Atlantic from the Celtics.

9.) Phoenix Suns                                                                                                           LW: --

Do they really want to trade Stoudemire? I realize they want to get younger, and Amare might opt out of his deal, but that’s a might. I’ve heard him say he wants to stay in Phoenix, but it’s probably too late now.

10.) San Antonio Spurs                                                                                                LW: --

The Spurs are pretty old. But Duncan is still playing like he always does. But where’s the rest of the team? They need another player to step up if they want to win the West.

11.) Boston Celtics                                                                                                       LW: --

The Celtics may be a little low here, but I think this is it for them. They’re going to get rid of Ray Allen. Garnett might be declining with his injuries. Rondo is their only good young player, honestly.

12.) Dallas Mavericks                                                                                                   LW: --

But they will be moving higher in the next few weeks. They just completely ripped of the Wizards. Butler and Nowitzki is going to be a pretty good combo for them.

13.) Portland Trail Blazers                                                                                            LW: --

Portland is a decent team and nothing more. Brandon Roy is a great player, and LaMarcus Aldrige is a pretty good center, but they don’t have much else after them. Oden is a bust.

14.) New Orleans Hornets                                                                                            LW: --

The Hornets can’t afford to make very many trades. Emeka Okafor doesn’t look like that bad of a replacement for Tyson Chandler, but he’s a bit of a downgrade.

15.) Houston Rockets                                                                                                   LW: --

Just find a way to ship T-Mac out, Houston. Get some value for him while you still can, unless you want his expiring deal to sign free agents.

16.) Charlotte Bobcats                                                                                     LW: --

The Bobcats are better than most expected from them, but the East looks really weak out of the top 5, but having the Nets doesn’t help.

17.) Memphis Grizzlies                                                                                     LW: --

Memphis is a surprising team, and definitely the best last-place team of any division. Especially considering that they have a winning record.

18.) Miami Heat                                                                                                           LW: --

Dwayne Wade just won the All-Star MVP. Jermaine O’Neal is looking a bit like himself again. Chalmers was a very underrated PG before his injury, and the loss hurts them.

19.) Milwaukee Bucks                                                                                      LW: --

Could they really be a playoff team? The Brandon Jennings hype has slowly calmed down, and you don’t hear about him much, but we will see more players going to Europe and more players from Europe getting drafted.

20.) Chicago Bulls                                                                                                        LW: --

I think Kirk Hinrich will be leaving Chicago in a trade by the deadline. They need some cap off the books to maybe sign Joe Johnson or Chris Bosh.

21.) Philadelphia 76ers                                                                                     LW: --

They are quietly a pretty hot team. They want Stoudemire, but I wouldn’t trade Iguodala for a player that won’t resign with me after the playoffs (if they can even make it).

22.) Los Angeles Clippers                                                                                            LW: --

Marcus Camby is leaving for Portland in exchange for Blake and Outlaw. It’s actually a good trade for L.A. They needed to clear a center for when Griffin comes back, and I don’t think they wanted to trade the one that was an All-Star.

23.) New York Knicks                                                                                     LW: --

Mike D’Antoni wishes he took that Bulls job right now. I don’t think LeBron is going to New York and I don’t think many high profile free agents want to go there too badly either, even if it is New York.

24.) Indiana Pacers                                                                                                       LW: --

The Pacers aren’t doing too well. And it’s not going to help make Indiana happier after the Colts loss.

25.) Minnesota Timberwolves                                                                           LW: --

This team could be dangerous come next year, they are starting to look like they could make a Thunder-like run.

26.) Detroit Pistons                                                                                                       LW: --

Could the Pistons really be moving to Pittsburgh? Those rumors have been heating up again, but I think that they want to stay at the Palace.

27.) Sacramento Kings                                                                                     LW: --

They started 14-16, and many thought they might be a playoff team. Now they’re 16-34. Tyreke Evans is going to be a star (like you didn’t already know that).

28.) Washington Wizards                                                                                              LW: --

The Wizards are clearing cap space for the free agents. But with their current state not too many good free agents are going to want to sign there.

29.) Golden State Warriors                                                                                           LW: --

Monta Ellis should’ve been an All-Star, or should’ve at least replaced Brandon Roy for the spot.

30.) New Jersey Nets                                                                                                   LW: --

They’re on pace for 7 wins. And I’m not even sure they’ll get that. Remember when we thought LeBron might sign with the Nets? Good times.

That about wraps it up for these power rankings.

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